I use my rear brake a lot. Mostly for slow speed maneuvering, combined with friction zoning the clutch, and for keeping the bike from rolling backwards on hills when stopped, etc.

I find the rear brake on my 2019 Low Rider to be abyssal. The 20 year old brake on my FXR is many, many times better. For example, when coming up the inclined driveway to my garage, I really have to stomp the pedal way harder then any past bike to keep the bike from rolling backwards.

Do any of you Low Rider owners feel the rear brake is as bad as mine?

Anyone use any improved third party calipers (ABS compatible)?

Thanks

 

Not a low rider but my 2019 Street Bob brakes are the same. Absolutely shocking. I hadn't thought about caliper upgrades but I'm looking at aftermarket rotors and pads at the moment. Galfer rotors and EBC pads are what I'm leaning towards.

 

Probably the same components. Thanks. Glad it’s not just me, but sad they would put something so bad on a new bike...

 

The sport glide is the same. I figured it was partly because of ABS.

 

See, newer isn't always better.
Could it be or do you have ABS?
Could it need bleeding?

 

My sport glide is the same. Several of the reviews I watched on the 2018/19 bikes also commented on the very same thing. I really wish I could throw Brembo braked on there. Ohh and it is not isolated to ABS models.

 

Yes, it’s ABS, but since I now see two others who concur I doubt we all need a bleed. I think performance machine makes a caliper, but I’m not too keen on spending $500 on this. I’ll probably start with new pads first. I already put Lyndall gold pads in the front for a noticeable improvement. Maybe new pads will help here as well...

 

I'm not sure I would blame the caliper so quickly. Take a look at the horrible design of the rear brake lever. There is quite a bit of flex in the lever that never translates to pressure at the pushrod and master cylinder. The brake lever is not in line with the master. PS: mine is non abs and I have bled it. Good thing the front brake really clamps well even if it does sound like a French horn.

 

ok I am glad I am not the only one that is getting a lot of noise out of front as well

 

Can't speak to ABS since I don't have it, but raising the brake pedal helps a lot. See my post earlier today.

FWIW, if I had to choose between front and rear, I use the front brakes a lot more and the rear mostly to settle the chassis. This bike had a much better brake balance than my Dyna did in stock form. That one demanded you use the rear brake because the front was so awful. One man's opinion....